New Delhi: India`s most successful golfer, Jeev Milkha Singh has signed up for his maiden appearance at the Panasonic Open India next week with the aim of finally winning his first Asian Tour title on home soil. Singh, a two-time Asian Tour number one, confirmed his participation in the third edition of the USD 300,000 tournament at the Delhi Golf Club, a course where he has never won previously. Long regarded as the flag bearer for the Indian golf, Singh has won six times on the Asian Tour and multiple times on the Japan and European Tours, including last year`s Scottish Open. His two Order of Merit triumphs came in 2006 and 2008 on the Asian Tour, which is celebrating its milestone 10th season in 2013. "I`ve played in the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan previously and I`ve done well there, so I`m looking forward to my first time in India," said Singh. "I`m going to play at the Delhi Golf Club after such a long time. I think I last played there some five years ago (at the Hero Indian Open where he finished fourth in 2008). I`m looking forward to that. In April, the course will be firm and hard and I`m looking forward to the challenge." "It`s a very different golf course. I don`t carry my driver on this course...just a three wood and three iron. It`s an amazing course, a demanding course. You have to hit it well and mentally you have to be strong to win on that course." Singh included the Indian Open onto his early 2013 schedule to ensure he achieves the minimum number of tournaments required to keep his Asian Tour card for 2014. "I`ve got to get my numbers up on the Asian Tour this year. I couldn`t do it last year due to injuries. This is my last year of exemption on the Asian Tour (through his Order of Merit triumph). Although I have my career earnings ranking to count on, I want to get my numbers up and keep my full exemption going," said Singh, who was conferred an Asian Tour Honorary Membership in 2009. Singh believes the staging of world-class tournaments such as the Panasonic Open India, which is one of four to be played on the Asian Tour annually, is the perfect platform for India`s emerging talent to enhance their burgeoning reputations. "Indian golf is the fastest growing sport in our country. A lot of new guys are taking up the game, big corporate wigs play the game and they love it. And they put in the money to help the game grow in this country," said Singh. "There is a lot of talent coming out from the country. Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar and Himmat Rai... they are world class. They can play anywhere in the world and they can do really well," said Singh. The top-three players in the tournament will be extended invitations to the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation, which will be held in Osaka, Japan, in September. The event will be beamed live throughout four days on the Asian Tour Media`s global television platform which reaches over 200 countries and 650 million homes.

New Delhi: Sahara Force India and Mercedes-Benz on Thursday signed a long-term agreement for the Silverstone-based team to use a full Mercedes-Benz powertrain from the 2014 season onwards.

The agreement will see Mercedes-Benz supply Force India with a complete Power Unit (internal combustion engine plus energy recovery system), transmission and all associated ancillary systems under the new regulations for 2014.

Mercedes-Benz entered the era of customer engine suppl

y in 2009 with
the Silverstone-based team and this close working relationship is now in its fifth season.

These historic links and the growing competitiveness of Force India helped pave the way for an expansion of the existing partnership to also include the supply of the gearbox and hydraulic systems.

"Our new agreement with Mercedes-Benz for the coming years is the most significant in the history of Sahara Force India," Dr Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director of Sahara Force India, said.

"With new powertrain regulations being introduced next year, I can`t think of a better partner to work with as Formula One enters a new and exciting era. The agreement gives us the long-term stability we require and will enable us to continue our journey towards the front of the Formula One grid," he added.New Delhi: Sahara Force India and Mercedes-Benz on Thursday signed a long-term agreement for the Silverstone-based team to use a full Mercedes-Benz powertrain from the 2014 season onwards.

The agreement will see Mercedes-Benz supply Force India with a complete Power Unit (internal combustion engine plus energy recovery system), transmission and all associated ancillary systems under the new regulations for 2014.

Mercedes-Benz entered the era of customer engine suppl

y in 2009 with
the Silverstone-based team and this close working relationship is now in its fifth season.

These historic links and the growing competitiveness of Force India helped pave the way for an expansion of the existing partnership to also include the supply of the gearbox and hydraulic systems.

"Our new agreement with Mercedes-Benz for the coming years is the most significant in the history of Sahara Force India," Dr Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director of Sahara Force India, said.

"With new powertrain regulations being introduced next year, I can`t think of a better partner to work with as Formula One enters a new and exciting era. The agreement gives us the long-term stability we require and will enable us to continue our journey towards the front of the Formula One grid," he added.